When 'Legends' were thin on the ground — Part 7

Thank you for all your contributions. Are you working on another one? I am giving up on Peter Mills's favourite XI which he promised after your own excellent series started this off.

Yes Terry, I have another article gnawing away in my mind, but it embraces the three Merseyside clubs Everton, Tranmere Rovers, and of course our 'Illegitimate Cousins' from across the park.

I trust that you will find it interesting, you and Rick are part of a small group of 'Webbers' who have stayed with me since I took to my one finger typing, and although it is a labour of love, I must confess I do derive a degree of satisfaction when people like yourselves express your kind remarks. Best wishes John.

George Saunders was another dependable full back, a bit like one of your previous choices Eric Moore, he played a lot in the first. season I went and the team always seemed, to me, to be the same:. Sagar, Saungers Dugdale, Farrell, TG Jones, Lello, Corr, Wainwright, McIntosh, Fielding and Eglington.

Alec Stevenson was getting on a bit when I saw him, I think he played in the 1948 derby game, a great schemer I saw most of his game in the reserves at that time, did he become player manager of a local non league team, possibly Bootle?

Eddie Wainwright was a good goal scoring inside forward who was pretty good at taking penalties, scored the one versus Spurs which turned out to be the winner in the 1950 cup run,

I'm not sure if I saw Gordon Watson in the first team might have seen him play in the reserves but could be getting him mixed up with Stan Bentham, Gordon I remember mostly as being first team trainer for many years.

Thanks for this series John, it has been very interesting, I'm presuming this is the last in the present series as you are down to the letter "W"so you will have to get your head down and think up another series for us to enjoy, I haven't got any ideas to offer you except famous games played by the Blues since the forties, over to you John but thanks again for making us auld fella's use our noggins.

I worked with Ted Sagar's son (Dave?) in the 1970s, around the time his dad ran the Ship and Anchor in Aintree.

After Gordon Watson retired he still worked at Everton, doing this and that, behind the scenes. I well recall one incident that really tested his sense of humour.

In the run in to the 1970 League Championship I was on a club coach to the game, led by Gordon. It was, of course, pre M62 so a much longer trip than today. We decided to have a stop and the coach pulled into a pub which had a large (empty) car park and a prominent No Coaches sign.
Gordon, resplendent in his club blazer and tie, approached the landlord and said, "It's OK landlord. We're an official Everton Football Club party and, on behalf of the club, I can vouch for all the members."
The landlord replied, "I don't care if you're from the Pope, you're not coming in here. Can't you read?"

As far as the match was concerned I think we'd already won the League but Wednesday were fighting relegation. They were all over us and I recall Jack Whitham (once of Liverpool but not sure if before or later) hitting the woodwork a couple of times. Needless to say we won 0-1 with Morrisey scoring the goal, if my memory is correct.

Hi Bill [5] I'm not trying to be picky but Ted Sagar had the Blue Anchor, while I was in the research department I looked up the details on Jack Witham, he signed for Liverpool in May 1970 and the match you saw was on April 4th 1970, and you're spot on, Johnny Morrissey did indeed score the only goal of the game. Best wishes John.

Regarding Jack Whitham, didn't Liverpool sign him for a decent fee and he did next to nothing for them then when they let him go he scored a hat trick against them for the team he signed for?

Dave; I think he was a bit injury prone at Liverpool and I do seem to recall him scoring three against them. I can't remember who for, though.

I'm getting my season ticket changed back to my name from our Nicki's, she won't be too pleased, what with all these new lads coming in! It's a case now of 'Get me to the church on time' for that 'cuppa' Best wishes John.

I haven't written in up to now as my first match (on my own) was in 1952 I was age 7 years. Amazing to think I could walk from Heyworth Street in Everton. The game was against Doncaster Rovers and Eggo (Tommy Eglinton) scored five, think I paid sixpence to get in.

I remember well, and saw, many of the players you have recalled. Eddie Wainwright was one of my favourites and always gave 100% and scored regularly, did he play without his false teeth? It always seemed to make him much older.

I was just reflecting during yesterday's transfer window hiatus, having just read your article, that in those days in the 50s, the game was a sport, as against today's multi-billion-pound industry which has changed the game beyond recognition, a modern day example would be the cynical antics and posturing of Jose Mourhino (and he is not a player!).

Without getting too nostalgic, I still think of those times as part of the 'good old days', and I am happy to say I have had many great times following the Blues.

Thanks again, John.

I have related this tale countless times, I am from a large family of Evertonian's and on that day, [ September 27th 1952] a cousin of mine was married, and I was the only one to attend the game, and when I was asked for details I said, "I'm not telling you, you should have gone yourself", and yes, Eddie Wainwright did play without his dentures, and on that day he was only 28 years old.

They were indeed happy days, and I believe that they're turning a sport into a science, but I'm afraid that I'm programmed to go to the match no matter what.

I would imagine that like myself in the close season, your Saturday afternoons would have been spent in the Everton Palace. Best wishes John.

Dave @15, Yes your right 9 old pence. I know I was supposed to go in the Boys Pen, which was then in the corner of Gwladys Street (later moved to the Bullens Rd corner of the Paddock), somehow I ended up in the Glwladys St end in a 'big' crowd, I couldn't see a thing, until I was passed to the front and was sat on a stantion from where I had a great view of my first game alone.

In fact when I graduated from the Boys Pen when I left school (OLI St Domingo Rd), my spec was always in that Bullens Rd side of the Street End until my season ticket days.

Great days, eh!

Growing up around the same area, great days indeed, more happy memories than sad ones.